Customer Reviews

All in the Mind (Charnwood Large Print)

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I literally just finished Alastair Campbell's All In The Mind and ran to review it. This novel was just breathtaking.

I love to read books on psychiatry and the aspects of the mind, which was how I became interested in the book in the first place, but it turned out to be so much more.

There is beauty in the story of Martin Sturrock and the people he treats and their relationships to him and those around them. I even cried at the end of this book, which happens seldom. And at first I thought they were sad tears but there was a genuine smile on my face as I turned the last page. The novel is sad but inspiring. And gives you much to think about.

I was late for an appointment because I had to finish the book. It was a page-turner of a different kind -- every page is packed with insight and revelation on human nature and mind, and I was greedy to read on and on. But I wished I had not read to the end because I was crying and found it difficult to get up to go for my appointment.

Read this book only when you are in a stable, contented frame of mind. And read it in one sitting. Then take a red pencil, re-read and underline those sentences and phrases that leap up at you.

As a person that has suffered depression in the past and as someone that treats clients that are currently battling their way through mental health issues, I found this book to be a fascinating insight into the world of sufferers and into the potential problems that the professionals that treat them may obtain through their working life.

For me the book was excellent and somewhat important. You see, as a therapist one of the challenges in treating people with depression, is the way that people react to their illnesses (sometimes not even seeing them as ill at all, but attention seeking). For far too long many people have been misunderstood when they convey to friends and family that they are suffering from a mental health issue such as depression. This book would certainly help to educate those friends and family members that are willing to be open minded and to learn.

All of the story lines from the various characters were handled with respect and where delivered very interestingly.

I am looking forward to this becoming a film on the small screen sometime in the future and awaiting eagerly the announcement of Campbell's next novel.

I would be interested to hear the views of other therapists or sufferers of mental health issues on this book.

Warmly,

Richard MacKenzie
Author of Self-Change Hypnosis

Reading the first few pages, I had my doubts about this novel and Campbell's capabilities, there seemed to be a lack of flow. However, "All In The Mind" turns out to be a very touching, honest examination of mental illness and its treatment, with well drawn characters, and a subtle look at dysfunctional marriages.

I don't believe you need to forgive those who harmed you in the past, as Arta is advised, so much as to see that they are irrelevant to your future. Also, there is such a thing as an addictive personality who must be constantly on guard, so the take on alcoholism (p.213) is a bit simplistic.

All In The Mind is a darkly humorous and hard-hitting novel which gives fresh insight in the world of psychiatrics. This novel follows a numbers of characters through their mental worlds as they visit a London psychiatrist in an attempt to get better. This novel was revealing and hard hitting in its realization that even those who try to help us need help. Affecting, the main character is relatable in that he tries to hide that he needs help, but this books leads us to ask, who can help the helpers? An attention grabbing idea and a well-executed work, All In The Mind is worth the read.

The idiosyncrasies and intricacies of the characters in this novel are awe-inspiring. The originality in mental disabilities and life altering events is immense.

The idea of honing in on the psychiatrist's psyche as heavily as the patients' is genius. Without a doubt the occupation can weigh heavily on a man's personal health and to see how the process happens is a real treat of an insight. This book is enticing, intelligent, certainly sad at times, but all together enjoyable.

Definitely Recommended.

A brutally frank novel that delves deep into the complex challenges of the human condition. Set over the course of a single weekend, it follows one psychiatrist, excessively devoted to saving his patients, as he faces his own terrifying breakdown. The characters - their joys and their suffering, their fears and their hopes - are beautifully and terrifyingly real. Campbells' own demons are echoed in the pages of his stunning novel, and yet, as an author, he perfectly addresses the challenges of mental illness, alcoholism and alienation with heartbreaking compassion and unflinching honesty.